stanton gate lnr stanton-by-dale

The name Stanton derives from two Old English words stan
meaning stone and ton meaning a group of dwellings. It is unclear whether
the stone in this case refers to the nearby formation known as the “Clouds”
or some now lost memorial stone.

In recent years there has been a growing awareness that
ex-industrial sites provide habitats with consequent flora and fauna which
would otherwise be rare in the locality.

Stanton Gate, acquired from British Steel by Erewash Borough
Council in 1993, is such a site. Although there is some evidence of the
Romans carrying out iron smelting in the area, the major iron and steel
activity dates back to 1788 and the foundation of the Dale Ironworks.
Very quickly, canals such as the Nutbrook and Erewash were created to
serve the works and the coalfields of the area. Canals were the major
transport system for the first half of the 19th century until the advent
of the railways. A canal loading bay, used by narrowboats to take away
the goods from the ironworks, is clearly visible.

During the last war this was an important despatch point
for Stanton’s bomb cases. These were taken to explosives filling
factories elsewhere and then essential supplies were returned on the same
barges.

The building of the Ml in 1966 was a major influence as
it completed the process of cutting the site off from the rest of the
surrounding industrial area.
The site is, therefore, mainly man-made with considerable variations in
levels, hydrology, geology, nutrient status and soil compositions. The
range and levels of trace elements are very significantly different from
those produced by agricultural or more neutral industrial processes. A
very dry central mound of industrial residues (some of which are visible
on the ground) dominates it. Between the mound and the bordering Erewash
Canal is an area of low ground with areas of standing water.

The whole area can be separated into 3 distinct habitat
types. As the transition from one habitat to another usually provides
the needs of a wider range of species than a pure habitat, Stanton Gate
is consequently a very rich source of flora and fauna species within a
small area.
The flat top of the mound is composed mainly of semi-improved neutral
grassland and scattered scrub supporting a wide range of fine-leaved grass
species. These include Red Fescue, Yorkshire Fog and Soft Brome, all interspersed
with a herb layer dominated by Common St John’s Wart, Oxeye Daisy,
Kidney Vetch (usually found on limestone areas of north Derbyshire) and
Hawkweed.

The mound is also an excellent place to see the nest hills
of Yellow and Black Ants.

A band of dense scrub around the top of the bank is dominated
by Hawthorn, which grades into a large patch of bramble. All the trees
and shrubs in this area (including Ash and Sycamore) are relatively young
and undergoing natural progression. The age and density of the scrub give
good cover for nesting birds such as Whitethroat, Wren, and Willow Warbler.
To the south, scrub is more scattered with a rich collection of ruderal
herb species, including Stinging Nettle, Hedge Bindweed and Great Willowherb.
Amongst the wide range of insects supported by this habitat are butterflies
such as Small Skipper, Meadow Brown and Common Blue.

Running parallel with the canal is a bank of semi- improved
grassland mixed with scattered scrub and a marshy area. Species present
here include Mouse Hawkweed and Male Fern. Trees are represented by Elder
and some planted Field Maple, Rowan and Hazel. The marshier part of this
area supports ruderal herb cover with Hemp Agrimony and Purple Loosestrife
being amongst the notable plants. The area is home to dragonflies including
Brown Hawker, Blue Tail Damselfly and Broad bodied Chaser as well as Frogs
and Common Newts.

Access
Situated beside the Erewash canal off Moorbridge Lane which links the
main Sandiacre to Ilkeston Road and the northern area of Stapleford.